Underpowered 89
Champion
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 5
From: Sycamore, Illinois (displaced to Arkansas)
RE: Underpowered 89
The clunking is mostly normal. Caused by worn parts (like 95V8Dakota4x4 said) such as mounts or u-joints. Doubt it's a serious problem, however.
As for lack of power, as mentioned earlier, the engine is far from a powerhouse. Your years motor puts out about 125HP. It's throttle-body fuel injected.
As for exactly why there is - or might be - lagging in only second gear, I don't know.
As for lack of power, as mentioned earlier, the engine is far from a powerhouse. Your years motor puts out about 125HP. It's throttle-body fuel injected.
As for exactly why there is - or might be - lagging in only second gear, I don't know.
Professional
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chatham,ont
RE: Underpowered 89
My 87 carburated 3.9 is the same way, I've tried everything, new rotor and cap, new fuel pump, rebuilt carburator and plugs and played with the ignition timing. I think its just tired. Dodges always clunk haha. But my solution is, just put a 318 in it, and thats what I'm doing.
Veteran
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 461
Likes: 1
From: CA
RE: Underpowered 89
ORIGINAL: oglejust
just to inform u... i have an 87 dakota 4x4 that does it so i AM familiar with this issue. its not a big deal IMO bc the tranny is probably gonna go out b4 the motor anyway, the question is when will it go. so with that said u can go @#&% urself 
have a nice day
ORIGINAL: SuperDruP
The idea of this post was to elicit some kind of response from a person familiar with this issue.
The idea of this post was to elicit some kind of response from a person familiar with this issue.
have a nice day
Ya I agree with U-joints thats what my does and I checked my diff backlash so its just u-joints on mine
